Adapting Movements for Physical Disabilities

So what does it mean to make the same movements using muscle groups as close a possible to what you’d normally teach?

Let’s take Julie G. She has good control of her trunk but no feeling or strength in her legs and is skiing in the monoski.

You chose the monoski because she wanted to ski independently. It’s been set up so she can sit in a relaxed basic stance, with a good range of movement in all directions, with the outriggers set to provide support for a learner. Good thing you also ensured that there was nothing in the set up that could create a pressure sore or pinch a catheter. Well done. Step 1 complete!

From your assessment you know that Julie can balance, rotate, and move laterally and longitudinally using her core, so this will be your focus as Julie’s core is closest to the muscle groups in the legs and core that’d you’d normally focus on for these movements.

You’ve taken this knowledge and taught her to the point she is ready to start turning. However she can’t make a wedge to aid balance and steering, she can’t apply twist and isn’t on a board regardless. Hmmm what to do?